Pineapple Lectin AcmJRL Binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in a Carbohydrate-Dependent Fashion

Chembiochem. 2023 Feb 1;24(3):e202200463. doi: 10.1002/cbic.202200463. Epub 2022 Dec 23.

Abstract

The highly glycosylated spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for infection and constitutes a prime target for antiviral agents and vaccines. The pineapple-derived jacalin-related lectin AcmJRL is present in the medication bromelain in significant quantities and has previously been described to bind mannosides. Here, we performed a large ligand screening of AcmJRL by glycan array analysis, quantified the interaction with carbohydrates and validated high-mannose glycans as preferred ligands. Because the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was previously reported to carry a high proportion of high-mannose N-glycans, we tested the binding of AcmJRL to the recombinantly produced extraviral domain of spike protein. We could demonstrate that AcmJRL binds the spike protein with a low-micromolar KD in a carbohydrate-dependent fashion.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; bromelain; carbohydrates; lectin; mannose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ananas* / chemistry
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lectins* / chemistry
  • Mannose / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / chemistry

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Lectins
  • Mannose
  • Polysaccharides
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2